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Make your own board game: a play idea for 4 and 5 year olds

Counting squares, taking turns and handling losing are all part of the game. It takes about 20 minutes and uses a big sheet of paper, crayons, a die, or a coin to flip, small toys for playing pieces.

Checked October 29, 2026.

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How to play

Make your own board game4 and 5 year olds · about 20 minutes

You need: a big sheet of paper, crayons, a die, or a coin to flip, small toys for playing pieces.

  1. Draw a winding path of squares from START to FINISH.
  2. Add a few special squares: "go back 2", "jump ahead 1".
  3. Take turns rolling the die and moving that many squares.
  4. Play again, and let your child add new rules.

Builds: thinking and problem solving and social and emotional. Counting squares, taking turns and handling losing are all part of the game.

Safety: Small pieces are a choking hazard for children under 3: keep them away from younger brothers and sisters, and count them back in when you finish.

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